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Sunday, 1 March 2015

Martha Ansara's submission to the Federal Government inquiry into imported film participants

Film industry legend Martha Ansara has written to friends to circulate her
views on the proposals being considered by a Federal Government inquiry into
removing union vetting of applications for 420 visas (the visa required to work
on a film).The major industry players have all lodged submissions and there has
been significant support for the removal of the requirement for the
Minister to consult with the union representing workers in the film industry
before approving temporary visas. Free TV Australia, the Screen Producers
Association, the government agency Ausfilm, Foxtel and the Australian
Subscription Television Association have all advocated the abolition of the
requirement to consult on visa applications for foreign cast and crew. Martha's submission relies on data she researched on Screen Australia's website at http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/default.aspx

Martha writes:

"I am concerned that this review may be an ideological one based on --
to quote from the introduction in the review's discussion paper -- the
"government deregulation agenda" which it states thus: "The
Australian Government is committed to reducing the burden and cost of
unnecessary or inefficient regulation imposed on individuals, business and
community organisations...."

"I believe that the adoption of inadequately researched deregulation
measures is likely to have unintended consequences and that it will not be
helpful if submissions merely assert positions without sufficient
evidence (which I suspect is likely). Similarly, my own submission should be
regarded as tentative. it is compromised by my lack of time and resources to
marshal or analyse the evidence which I feel is required to support my views.
Having said this, the examination I did make of statistics from Screen
Australia's research section was extremely provocative. "

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About Me

This is a blog devoted to things of interest to cinephiles. The subjects are randomly selected in the manner of a diary and are somewhat oriented to Sydney, Australia. In the past I used to send out these entries via regular emails but this has trailed off and its best to check here for anything new.You can contact me direct via email at filmalert101@gmail.com